Collapsible housing unit

ABSTRACT

Two rigid, upstanding elongated sidewalls positioned in generally parallel relationship and movable between adjacent and spaced-apart positions, two foldable end walls affixed between the sidewalls at opposite ends thereof, a foldable floor affixed between the sidewalls and a roof having a central inverted Vshaped member with two outwardly projecting extensions thereof hingedly affixed to the central member so as to hang vertically downwardly adjacent the outer surfaces of the sidewalls in the collapsed position and to assume an overlying relationship to the sidewalls in the assembled position. A plurality of struts hingedly connected between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls and the under surfaces of the projecting members of the roof to maintain the roof in an assembled position while the sidewalls are being moved from a collapsed position to the assembled position, the struts forming generally vertically decorative battens on the exterior of the sidewalls and holding the roof in place.

UllllCU DliillCS talent BEST AVAILABLE COPY Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh AltomeyMerchant & Gould ABSTRACT: Two rigid, upstanding elongated sidewalls positioned in generally parallel relationship and movable between adjacent and spaced-apart positions, two foldable end walls affixed between the sidewalls at opposite ends thereof, a foldable floor affixed between the sidewalls and a roof having a central inverted V-shaped member with two outwardly projecting extensions thereof hingedly affixed to the central member so as to hang vertically downwardly adjacent the outer surfaces of the sidewalls in the collapsed position and to assume an overlying relationship to the sidewalls in the assembled position. A plurality of struts hingedly connected between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls and the under surfaces of the projecting members of the roof to maintain the roof in an assembled position while the sidewalls are being moved from a collapsed position to the assembled position, the struts forming generally vertically decorative battens on the exterior of the sidewalls and holding the roof in place.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY PATENTEU JUL 1 3' mm SHEET 1 OF 3 EilI3 l fins. 9

INVENTORS. l nn/7. BERGS r507 004 M JUIVTUUEN BEST AVAILABLE COPY COLLAPSIBLE HOUSING UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the construction field, it is often desirable to construct buildings at a single or centrally located site and transport them to the preferred location. In some instances it may be desirable to construct the buildings so that they can be removed from a location after a period of usage and moved to a new location. Some buildings which might come within these categories are, for example, lake cottages and other summer homes, temporary shelters and office buildings used at work sites, barracks for soldiers on temporary duty or temporarily in an area, etc.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, prior art collapsible or foldable buildings are constructed by hingedly attaching the various components together so that upon being unfolded, a floor and sidewalls are provided. A roof is then supported directly on the sidewalls. Because the various components are hingedly attached and because the roof is supported directly on the sidewalls, the prior art structures are relatively weak and are difficult to erect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a collapsible housing unit including two rigid upright elongated members mounted in parallel juxtaposition and movable to a spaced position with end walls and a floor hingedly affixed thereto so as to move into position as the elongated members are moved to the spaced-apart position and a roof formed of a plurality of members pivotally affixed together and attached to the elongated members by means which hold the roof members in an extended or assembled position while the elongated members are moved to the spaced-apart position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved collapsible housing unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible housing unit which is relatively simple to assemble.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible housing unit wherein elongated members having roof supporting columns therein are provided for relieving some of the stress from the sidewalls.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible housing unit which can be returned to the collapsed position after a period of usage.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the present collapsible housing unit in an assembled position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the collapsible housing unit in a collapsed position, illustrating the roof members in an extended position in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the housing unit generally as seen from the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 with the housing unit being in a collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 4-4 in FIG. 2, illustrating the housing unit in a partially assembled position in dotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the housing unit, with the roof removed, in a partially assembled position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 6-6 in FIG. 1, portions thereof removed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 7-7 in FIG. 1, portions thereof removed;

FIG. 8 is a view in bottom plan of the housing unit in the assembled position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 9-9 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 10-10 in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates a collapsible housing unit including first and second elongated side members 11 and 12, first and second end members 13 and 14, a floor l5, and a roof 16. It should be understood that in some special instances various portions of the housing unit 10 might be eliminated or modified to fit the special circumstances and in some instances the manufacturer or user might desire certain modifications to the present disclosure. It is anticipated that such modifications will occur and the disclosed structure has been retained in a basic fonn to simplify the explanation thereof. Further, it should be understood that the various components of the housing unit 10 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as plywood, plastics, combinations of thin metal and insulation, etc.

The side members 11 and 12 are formed substantially as mirror images and, therefore, only the side member 11 will be explained in detail with similar numbers indicating similar parts. Side member 11 includes a vertically upstanding sidewall 20 with a partial ceiling 21 extending inwardly from the upper edge thereof, a partial subfloor 22 (provided for insulative purposes) extending inwardly from the lower edge of the sidewall 20, apartial floor 23 extending inwardly from the sidewall 20 and spaced a short distance above the subfloor 22, and partial end walls 24 extending inwardly at each end of the sidewall 20. The sidewall 20 and the various inwardly extending parts affixed thereto form an inwardly opening boxlike structure. A plurality of metal beams having an l-I-type cross section are positioned across the opening formed by the parts of the side member 11 so as to form vertical columns 25 which extend from the lower edge of the subfioor 22 upwardly a slight distance beyond the partial ceiling 21. A stringer 26 is affixed to the tops of the columns 25 and extends longitudinally from one partial end wall 24 to the opposite partial end wall 24. A glide 27 is affixed between the upper edge of the sidewall 20 and the stringer 26 so as to present a generally upwardly directed planar surface to the roof 16. The planar surface formed by the glide 27 and the upper surface of the stringer 26 are oriented at an angle to the horizontal approximately equal to the angle of the roof 16. The partial end walls 24 extend upwardly above the partial ceiling 21 into engagement with the glide 27 to produce a complete enclosure, except for the inwardly directed openings between the columns 25, between the partial ceiling 21 and the glide 27.

In the present embodiment the end members 13 and 14 are approximately similar and, therefore, only the end member 13 will be described in detail. The end member 13 includes three vertical parts 30, 31 and 32, hingedly attached together with the vertical part 31 in the middle and the parts 30 and 32 attached to each vertical edge thereof. It should be noted that any of the vertical parts 30, 31 or 32 may have windows, doors, etc. and in the present embodiment the vertical part 31 of the end member 13 has sliding doors therein. The outer edges of the vertical parts 30 and 32 are hingedly attached to the partial end walls 24 of the side members 11 and 12 so that the partial end wall 24 and the vertical parts 30, 31 and 32 form an end wall of the housing unit 10 when the end member 13 is extended. The vertical parts 30, 31 and 32 are approximately equal in heighth to the sidewalls 20 and the provision of a gable thereabove will be described in detail presently.

The floor 15 is formed of two substantially equal elongated members 35 and 36 hingedly affixed together along an elongated edge with the opposite or extended edges being hingedly affixed to the side members 11 and 12 so that the partial floors 23 and the members 35, 36 lie in a substantially even plane with the side members 11 and 12 moved into a spaced-apart position and the end members 13 and 14 in an extended position, which positions will hereinafter be referred to as an as sembled position. To support the members 35 and 36 of the floor 15 along the adjoining edges thereof an l-beam or similar support, illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and designated 37, is positioned therebelow along the length thereof. The I-beam 37 has a vertical heighth slightly greater than the distance between the lower surface of the subfloor 22 and the lower surface of the partial floor 23, for reasons which will become apparent presently. Channels 38 and 39 are affixed to the columns 25 between the subfloor 22 and partial floor 23 in each of the side members 11 and 12 so as to aid in supporting the junctures between the members 35, 36 and the partial floors 23 of each of the side members 11 and 12.

The roof 16 is formed of three parts 45, 46 and 47. The part 45 is formed in a generally inverted V-shape with the parts 46 and 47 hingedly attached adjacent opposite longitudinal edges thereof, so as to hang vertically downwardly therefrom and form an extension of the inverted V when they are pivoted upwardly and outwardly. The transverse dimension of the part 45 is greater than the transverse dimension of the housing unit 10 in the folded position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that the parts 46 and 47 hang vertically downwardly from the part 45 in overlying relationship with the exteriors of the side members 11 and 12. A plurality of struts 48 are hingedly attached adjacent one end to the exteriors of the sidewalls 20 of the side members 11 and 12, near the bottoms thereof, and extend vertically upwardly between the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls 20 and the parts 46 and 47 of the roof 16. The opposite ends of the struts 48 are provided with a portion of a hinge and the mating portion is affixed to the underside of the adjacent roof part 46 or 47. The struts 48 and the remainder of the housing unit 10 are designed so that the roof parts 46 and 47 can be pivoted upwardly and outwardly to the correct assembled position and the hinged parts on the under surface thereof can then be engaged with the hinged parts at the ends of the struts 48. As illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2, the struts 48 maintain the roof parts 46 and 47 in the assembled position. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the roof parts 46 and 47 are hingedly attached to the part 45 so that the part 45 overlies a slight portion of the parts 46 and 47. To compensate for this irregularity in the undersurface of the roof 16, two spacers 49 are affixed to the undersurface of the roof part 45 adjacent each end thereof so as to lie generally in a plane with the end members 13 and 14 when the housing unit 10 is in the assembled position. The spacers 49 are normally in engagement with the glide 27 so that the side members 11 and 12 can easily be moved transversely outwardly after the roof parts 46 and 47 are pivoted into the assembled position.

In the present embodiment there are five columns 25 in each of the side members 11 and 12. The end columns and the center columns in each of the side members 11 and 12 each have a pair of rollers 55 mounted in the lower ends thereof for rotation about axes parallel with the web of the columns 25 and the longitudinal axis of the housing unit 10 and so that the rollers 55 extend downwardly below the lower ends of the columns 25. A channel 56 is mounted adjacent each of the pair of rollers 55 in a downwardly opening relationship so that the longitudinal axis of the channel 56 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rollers 55. Thumbscrews 57 are threadedly engaged in each side of the channel 56 so as to extend inwardly parallel with the web but spaced therefrom for reasons which will become apparent presently.

In the assembly of the housing unit 10, three l-beams 60 or the like (illustrated in FIG. and in dotted lines in FIGS. 9 and are positioned at the assembly site so as to lie in parallel spaced apart relationship. The housing unit 10 is then positioned over the central portion of the l-beams 60 so that the rollers 55 rest on the upper surface thereof and the l-beams 60 extend within and parallel to the channels 56. The thumbscrews 57 are tightened sufficiently to allow the rollers 55 to travel along the upper surface of the I-beams 60 without becoming disengaged therefrom. The roof parts 46 and 47 are pivoted upwardly and outwardly and the struts 48 are affixed in place by the hinges at the ends thereof to maintain the roof parts 46 and 47 in the assembled position. Cables 61 or the like (illustrated in FIG. 5) are affixed to the side members 11 and 12 and force is applied thereto so that the side members 11 and 12 move outwardly along the [beams 60. As the housing unit 10 reaches approximately the position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 4 (a partially assembled position) the beam 37 can be positioned perpendicular to the I-beams 60 in overlying relationship thereto, through the doors in the vertical part 31 of the end member 13. With the I-beam 37 correctly positioned a pulling force can again be applied to the cable 61 to move the side members 11 and 12 into the correct assembled position. As the side members 11 and 12 move outwardly the end members 13 and 14 and the fioor l5 assume the correct assembled positions. In the final assembled position the struts 48 move into parallel overlying relationship at the exterior of the sidewalls 20 and form decorative battens, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The struts 48 also serve to maintain the roof 16 fixedly attached to the side members 11 and 12.

With the various parts of the housing unit 10 in the assembled position the gables can be enclosed by affixing a properly shaped sheet of material 65 to the outer surfaces of the spacers 49, partial end walls 24 and end member 13 and a similarly shaped sheet of material 66 is affixed to the inner surfaces of these parts. In a similar fashion the opposite gable is enclosed with two properly shaped sheets of material. Referring to FIG. 3 an angle iron 67 is afiixed to the outer surface of the columns 25 in each of the side members 11 and 12 so that one arm of the angle iron 67 extends outwardly generally flush with the partial ceiling 21. The angle irons 67 are utilized to strengthen the housing unit 10 and they may be utilized as a raceway for electrical wiring and the like. While the present housing unit 10 is illustrated with an open ceiling in the central portion thereof, it should be understood that a ceiling member might be positioned in the angle irons 67, if desired. Further, if the housing unit 10 is to be permanently positioned or utilized in one place for an extended length of time, it may be desirable to calk some of the seams and otherwise provide additional weather proofing.

Thus, a collapsible housing unit is disclosed wherein the major portion of the weight is supported by the columns 25 and rigid side members 11 and 12 are provided wherein appliances and other relatively permanent features may be ins alled. Because of the novel rigid side members 11 and 12 and the manner in which the remainder of the housing unit 10 folds from the side members 11 and 12, the housing unit 10 is simple to manufacture and assemble and provides a relatively rugged structure after assembly.

What we claim is:

1. A collapsible housing unit comprising:

a. a roof having a plurality of members pivotally affixed together, said roof members having a collapsed position and a pivotally spaced assembled position;

b. two rigid upright elongated members mounted for transverse movements between a collapsed position and a transversely spaced assembled position, said elongated members forming two opposed sidewalls of the unit in the assembled position; and

. means pivotally connected to said roof and to said elongated members for maintaining said roof in the assembled position after movement thereto from the collapsed position and during movement of the elongated members from the collapsed to the assembled position and for maintaining said roof affixed to said elongated members in the assembled position.

2. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 including vertically foldable end members pivotally affixed to between the elongated members at each end thereof, said end members having a collapsed and an assembled position and forming end walls for the unit in the assembled position.

3. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of vertically extending columns affixed to said elongated members and spaced horizontally inwardly from the sidewalls of the unit in the assembled position, said columns providing substantially support for the unit to at least partially relieve stress in the sidewalls.

4. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pivotally connected means includes a plurality of elongated struts extending between the roof and the elongated members, external of the elongated members.

5. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 having in addition a foldable floor affixed to the two elongated members and forming an upwardly directed generally planar surface between said two elongated members when said elongated members are moved into the assembled position.

6. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim I wherein rollers and clamps are affixed to the underside of each of the two elongated members and the unit includes a base formed of a plurality of transversely extending rigid members positioned to receive the rollers thereon in rolling engagement, with the clamps positioned to engage the base and prevent disengagement of said rollers from the rigid members of said base.

7. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the roof includes a central inverted V-shaped portion and a generally flat portion hingedly affixed to each side of said central portion so as to hang vertically downwardly in the collapsed position and forming a continuation of the side of said central portion in the assembled position.

8. A collapsible housing comprising:

a. first and second side members each including a rigid sidewall and a plurality of vertical columns spaced inwardly from said sidewall;

b. first and second end walls affixed between opposite ends of said side members, said end walls being transversely retractable and extendable between a collapsed position wherein said side members are in juxtaposition and an assembled position wherein said side members are spaced transversely apart;

. a foldable floor affixed between said side members and movable between a collapsed and an assembled position as said side members are moved between adjacent and spaced apart positions;

d. a first roof member having a generally inverted V-shape and a transverse dimension sufficient to generally overlie said first and second side members in the adjacent or collapsed position;

e. second and third roof members hingedly affixed to opposed sides of said first roof member with adjacent edges of said roof member in generally parallel mating relationship; and

f. a plurality of struts each pivotally connected adjacent one end to the underside of one of said second and third roof members and pivotally connected adjacent the other end to the external side of one of said first and second side members, said struts assuming a generally vertical position with said first and second side members in the spaced apart or assembled position. 

1. A collapsible housing unit comprising: a. a roof having a plurality of members pivotally affixed together, said roof members having a collapsed position and a pivotally spaced assembled position; b. two rigid upright elongated members mounted for transverse movements between a collapsed position and a transversely spaced assembled position, said elongated members forming two opposed sidewalls of the unit in the assembled position; and c. means pivotally connected to said roof and to said elongated members for maintaining said roof in the assembled position after movement thereto from the collapsed position and during movement of the elongated members from the collapsed to the assembled position and for maintaining said roof affixed to said elongated members in the assembled position.
 2. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 including vertically foldable end members pivotally affixed to between the elongated members at each end thereof, said end members having a collapsed and an assembled position and forming end walls for the unit in the assembled position.
 3. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of vertically extending columns affixed to said elongated members and spaced horizontally inwardly from the sidewalls of the unit in the assembled position, said columns providing substantially support for the unit to at least partially relieve stress in the sidewalls.
 4. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pivotally connected means includes a plurality of elongated struts extending between the roof and the elongated members, external of the elongated members.
 5. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 having in addition a foldable floor affixed to the two elongated members and forming an upwardly directed generally planar surface between said two elongated members when said elongated members are moved into the assembled position.
 6. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein rollers and clamps are affixed to the underside of each of the two elongated members and the unit includes a base formed of a plurality of transversely extending rigid members positioned to receive the rollers thereon in rolling engagement, with the clamps positioned to engage the base and prevent disengagement of said rollers from the rigid members of said base.
 7. A collapsible housing unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the roof includes a central inverted V-shaped portion and a generally flat portion hingedly affixed to each side of said central portion so as to hang vertically downwardly in the collapsed position and forming a continuation of the side of said central portion in the assembled position.
 8. A collapsible housing comprising: a. first and second side members each including a rigid sidewall and a plurality of vertical columns spaced inwardly from said sidewall; b. first and second end walls affixed between opposite ends of said side members, said end walls being transversely retractable and extendable between a collapsed position wherein said side members are in juxtaposition and an assembled position wherein said side members are spaced transversely apart; c. a foldable floor affixed between said side members and movable Between a collapsed and an assembled position as said side members are moved between adjacent and spaced apart positions; d. a first roof member having a generally inverted V-shape and a transverse dimension sufficient to generally overlie said first and second side members in the adjacent or collapsed position; e. second and third roof members hingedly affixed to opposed sides of said first roof member with adjacent edges of said roof member in generally parallel mating relationship; and f. a plurality of struts each pivotally connected adjacent one end to the underside of one of said second and third roof members and pivotally connected adjacent the other end to the external side of one of said first and second side members, said struts assuming a generally vertical position with said first and second side members in the spaced apart or assembled position. 